Planning for a futureless economy : critique of the 6th plan and its development strategy

The New Planning Commis sion's 'new' development strategy has aroused great expectations. It has been claimed that, by the end of 1982-83, about 50 million new jobs will be created and there will be none below the "acute" poverty-line. Vast public mon eys are to be spent to this end on public investment, primary and adult education, rural roads, rural electrification, and household and small scale industries. A growth rate of the economy higher than in the past is also promised.

This book examines critically the various aspects of the New Strategy. The hypotheses underlying it have been speci fied and empirical tests have been carried out to test whether the facts support the strategy. A comprehensive appraisal of the three decades of our planning experience is also presented together with account of the various models underlying all our Plans.

The pros and cons of the Rolling Plan Technique have been outlined. An account of the Alternative Strategy of Development, known as the Wage-goods Strategy has also been given.